State Ex Rel. North Dakota Department of Labor for the Benefit of Fair Housing of the Dakotas v. Riemers

**What Happened** This case involved Roland Riemers, who was connected to Affordable Apartments, LLC. The North Dakota Department of Labor brought a lawsuit on behalf of Fair Housing of the Dakotas, claiming that Riemers published a housing advertisement that illegally discriminated against people who receive government assistance (like housing vouchers or welfare benefits). Under North Dakota law, landlords cannot advertise rental properties in ways that exclude people based on their source of income, including public assistance. **What the Court Decided** The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled against Riemers. The court upheld a default judgment, meaning Riemers failed to properly defend himself in court, and the lower court had already found him guilty of violating state fair housing advertising laws. The Supreme Court agreed that the advertisement was discriminatory and broke the law. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects workers and other residents who rely on government assistance programs. It confirms that landlords cannot publish ads that exclude people simply because they receive public benefits. This is especially important for low-wage workers who may qualify for housing assistance or other government programs to help make ends meet.